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themarinabox's reviews
191 reviews
Why I Am Not Going to Buy a Computer by Wendell Berry
2.0
Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect with this one and I actually thought that I was going to like it but unfortunately that wasn't the case. As much as I respect his right to his own opinions and I even agreed with a number of his points, I found myself mostly frustrated throughout reading this.
It's a thought-provoking read for sure but I don't know, it just didn't sit right with me. I'm sure, I don't have that much to say other that I don't like it. But, it's a very short read and it won't take you too long to read if you're curious. Go for it! :)
It's a thought-provoking read for sure but I don't know, it just didn't sit right with me. I'm sure, I don't have that much to say other that I don't like it. But, it's a very short read and it won't take you too long to read if you're curious. Go for it! :)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: A Trilogy in Five Parts by Douglas Adams
4.0
If I could, I would give this 3.8 stars.
My favourite part is the first part. Next comes, the 4th, 2nd and 5th. I didn't like the 3rd part that much.
As a first time sci-fi reading, I do feel like I should have taken a break between the 2nd and 3rd. Maybe, if I've done that, I would like the 3rd one a bit more. But I just felt like it was a bit too much for me.
Generally, I will say that I'm a big fan of Douglas Adams's humour and bizarre creativity on storytelling. I have a full review on all the parts on my blog.
My favourite part is the first part. Next comes, the 4th, 2nd and 5th. I didn't like the 3rd part that much.
As a first time sci-fi reading, I do feel like I should have taken a break between the 2nd and 3rd. Maybe, if I've done that, I would like the 3rd one a bit more. But I just felt like it was a bit too much for me.
Generally, I will say that I'm a big fan of Douglas Adams's humour and bizarre creativity on storytelling. I have a full review on all the parts on my blog.
A Talent for Murder by Andrew Wilson
4.0
I will say that I have always been a bit hesitant to read fictional accounts of the lives of the people I’m a fan of. I’m afraid that I might be disappointed.
I felt so excited when I read the first few chapters and the excitement faded away slowly and I thought that this book was going to disappointment me. I was wrong. Somewhere before I read the next half of the book, it felt like it was going a little slow for my taste but I flew through the second half.
I think this rather entertaining and cleverly written book is not only for an Agatha Christie fan but for a non-fan too. I’m really looking forward to read the next book and see what else is in store for this Queen of Mysteries.
full review on my blog
I felt so excited when I read the first few chapters and the excitement faded away slowly and I thought that this book was going to disappointment me. I was wrong. Somewhere before I read the next half of the book, it felt like it was going a little slow for my taste but I flew through the second half.
I think this rather entertaining and cleverly written book is not only for an Agatha Christie fan but for a non-fan too. I’m really looking forward to read the next book and see what else is in store for this Queen of Mysteries.
full review on my blog
The Big Four by Agatha Christie
4.0
Honestly, I did not know what to expect from this book. Despite what majority said, I actually quite enjoy this.
Firstly, I was delighted to find Hastings back in the game. Secondly, it was more "action-packed" for a Poirot book and that I found quite refreshing.
Even though, this book wasn't about us, the reader, trying to figure out who did it amongst all the suspects that Agatha Christie has presented to us, this book still manages to keep me at the edge of my seat.
Most importantly, it was really heartwarming to read about how much Poirot cares about his friend, Hastings.
full review on my blog
Firstly, I was delighted to find Hastings back in the game. Secondly, it was more "action-packed" for a Poirot book and that I found quite refreshing.
Even though, this book wasn't about us, the reader, trying to figure out who did it amongst all the suspects that Agatha Christie has presented to us, this book still manages to keep me at the edge of my seat.
Most importantly, it was really heartwarming to read about how much Poirot cares about his friend, Hastings.
full review on my blog
Watching You by Lisa Jewell
5.0
I love this book! Watching You is my first Lisa Jewell book and definitely not my last. I was so mesmerised right from the start. It's such a page-turner but I will admit that I did take my time to read this because I didn't want it to end. Have you ever had that feeling? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Watching You started off with a short opening of a detective at the crime scene. After that, the story went back 3 months leading up to the day of the crime. In between the short and sharp chapters, you will read interviews between the police and the suspects or witnesses. It makes you think you know what’s going on but you don’t. ⠀⠀
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It’s not just about finding out who did it but also, for a while at least, you don’t even know who died! All the twists and turns just kept me entertained and surprised.
Thanks to The American Book Center for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review. I'm currently a resident reviewer for the bookstore. Full review on my blog.
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Watching You started off with a short opening of a detective at the crime scene. After that, the story went back 3 months leading up to the day of the crime. In between the short and sharp chapters, you will read interviews between the police and the suspects or witnesses. It makes you think you know what’s going on but you don’t. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
It’s not just about finding out who did it but also, for a while at least, you don’t even know who died! All the twists and turns just kept me entertained and surprised.
Thanks to The American Book Center for sending me this book in exchange for my honest review. I'm currently a resident reviewer for the bookstore. Full review on my blog.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
4.0
3.8 stars.
I always appreciate a book that jumps straight to the story and this book did it for me. I was very gripped right from the start. I thought that The Woman in Cabin 10 just kept going uphill and I read this fairly quickly because of that. Having said that, the part a little before the end felt a little too draggy for me. Only for a chapter or two but the ending made it worth it.
Like many great thrillers, this book made me question what I've believed and sometimes, even made me a little confused, in a good way. I don't know about her other books but I do prefer this to The Death of Mrs Westaway. I think I'm going to make my way through her other works and possibly pick up The Lying Game next!
full review on my blog
I always appreciate a book that jumps straight to the story and this book did it for me. I was very gripped right from the start. I thought that The Woman in Cabin 10 just kept going uphill and I read this fairly quickly because of that. Having said that, the part a little before the end felt a little too draggy for me. Only for a chapter or two but the ending made it worth it.
Like many great thrillers, this book made me question what I've believed and sometimes, even made me a little confused, in a good way. I don't know about her other books but I do prefer this to The Death of Mrs Westaway. I think I'm going to make my way through her other works and possibly pick up The Lying Game next!
full review on my blog
Passenger to Frankfurt: An Extravaganza by Agatha Christie
2.0
I have a goal to read one Agatha Christie book a month and to be honest, I chose this just because of the cover and the title. I know nothing about the book before reading this and it's very unlike me.
Sadly, this book was disappointing. I mean, it actually started out pretty good but it just went downhill after just a few chapters. It’s more of a espionage-type novel which I personally don’t like and didn’t expect.
I will say that this is definitely not the book to pick up if you want to start reading Agatha Christie.
Sadly, this book was disappointing. I mean, it actually started out pretty good but it just went downhill after just a few chapters. It’s more of a espionage-type novel which I personally don’t like and didn’t expect.
I will say that this is definitely not the book to pick up if you want to start reading Agatha Christie.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
3.0
3.5
Spinning Silver is loose retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. There are some parts of the story that you can relate to the original story but it's mostly standing on its own storyline. I was prepared to read a few chapters before getting into the story but I was wrong and even started to care for the characters right from the start.
The more you read this, the more stories you will unfold. While these storylines are very beautifully written, somewhere in the middle, I started to get a little lost. But things do start to pick up once again towards the end.
Some of the characters were amazing and to watch them grow as the story proceeds was something that I have absolutely enjoyed. On the other hand, there are some characters that fell flat for me and, personally, I don't think they brought enough substance to the story to justify their POVs.
Although, I've had my ups and downs during the course of reading this book, I am happy and glad to have read this. This atmospheric of a book was indeed quite an experience. The feeling of the cold, harsh winter, the Strayks, the girl power, the love story and to the magically world that you don't want to leave, this book was a fun read.
Full review on my blog and thanks to The American Book Center for my copy.
Spinning Silver is loose retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. There are some parts of the story that you can relate to the original story but it's mostly standing on its own storyline. I was prepared to read a few chapters before getting into the story but I was wrong and even started to care for the characters right from the start.
The more you read this, the more stories you will unfold. While these storylines are very beautifully written, somewhere in the middle, I started to get a little lost. But things do start to pick up once again towards the end.
Some of the characters were amazing and to watch them grow as the story proceeds was something that I have absolutely enjoyed. On the other hand, there are some characters that fell flat for me and, personally, I don't think they brought enough substance to the story to justify their POVs.
Although, I've had my ups and downs during the course of reading this book, I am happy and glad to have read this. This atmospheric of a book was indeed quite an experience. The feeling of the cold, harsh winter, the Strayks, the girl power, the love story and to the magically world that you don't want to leave, this book was a fun read.
Full review on my blog and thanks to The American Book Center for my copy.
The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
4.0
What a book! I was a bit nervous, but at the same time excited, to read this because of all the hype.
The book started out interesting enough but somewhat slow. I guess I will even admit that I could do without a couple of chapters. But that said, I also flew completely through it after reaching the thriller point of the book.
As a whole, I think the book is worth the read (and hype) and, since this IS a thriller, you can expect to read some twists and turns and the ones in this book are pretty clever!
The book started out interesting enough but somewhat slow. I guess I will even admit that I could do without a couple of chapters. But that said, I also flew completely through it after reaching the thriller point of the book.
As a whole, I think the book is worth the read (and hype) and, since this IS a thriller, you can expect to read some twists and turns and the ones in this book are pretty clever!
The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
3.0
Hmmm... I don't really know how I can express my thoughts on this book. I like and dislike this book with equal measure. When I started reading, I honestly thought I wouldn't like the plot but turns out, it's the solution/ending that I didn't like. The plot and various characters were were very interesting to read but I wished that I could have read in Poirot's perspective more. Then perhaps, I would be more satisfied with the reveal of the solution and the solution itself. It's not that I didn't like the "who did it" but more of I didn't like the "why".
But as a whole, I did enjoy reading it but it also won't be in my top 10 Poirot books.
But as a whole, I did enjoy reading it but it also won't be in my top 10 Poirot books.